Additional Responsibilities of the Pro Se Debtor

Both debtors and joint debtors are required to sign and submit all requested forms. Additionally, Employee Income Records (pay stubs) must be received from both debtor and joint debtor. If debtor or joint debtor were unemployed and cannot submit pay stubs from the last 60 days, please submit a Declaration Regarding Payment Advice to satisfy this requirement. This form can be found on the court’s website www.wyb.uscourts.gov in the Forms menu, or at the clerk’s office.

The Code requires the chapter 7 or 13 debtor(s) attend a meeting of creditors which is held 20-60 days after filing. At this meeting, the debtor and joint debtor are under oath while both the trustee and creditors have the opportunity to ask the debtor and joint debtor questions. The debtor and joint debtor are required to answer questions regarding their financial affairs and property. Debtor(s) must also provide any financial records or documents that the trustee requests.

While not considered a deficiency at the time the petition is filed, the following document must be received by the court in order for the debtor(s) to receive a discharge of their debts. An individual debtor in a chapter 7 or chapter 13 case shall file a statement regarding completion of a course in personal financial management (Debtor Education Course), prepared as prescribed by the appropriate Official Form (Form B23). This requirement is not satisfied by the credit counseling certificate provided with the original petition. Form B23, Debtor’s Certification of Completion of Instructional Course Concerning Financial Management shall be filed in the 60 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors in a chapter 7 case. In a chapter 13 case, debtor has until the date of the last scheduled plan payment to file Form B23.